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Topic: Lowering links (Read 2857 times)

So Tuesday I'm going to ( hopefully) buy a 13 concours. Im gonna need to lower it about an inch to feel really comfortable. Whats the best kit to use? Im also looking for engine/ luggage guards and/ or frame sliders. Any recommendations?

Lower it!I’ve lowered mine 2” in the back and 1 1/4 in the front. Went on a 5000 mile trip this summer with my wife and luggage- no problem whatsoever! Just have to take care on speed bumps. Any kit will do, me personally wouldn’t go for adjustable ones.Have fun!

My question to that ,is it more dangerous to ride a motorcycle thats been lowered an inch ( only the rear), or to ride a motorcycle thats just a tad too tall?

I think it's worse for the motorcycle to be upset by bottoming out and becoming unstable at highway speed or just before you enter a tight corner than to fall down at a stop light.

I think folks should buy a different bike before using a lowering technique. Once you are moving, you don't need to touch the ground remember.

I've owned several bikes in my life and the only one I can put my feet flat on was an 80s honda shadow with very little suspension travel to start with.

When I changed to the NON CRUISER the bikes come with more travel, higher seats and better handling characteristics. Even the R1 I had, I could not put my feet down flat. But I never needed to.

I Just believe theres a better, safer way to a solution than removing suspension travel. I have always been able to just scoot forward slightly, reach with the tip of my foot or just lean the bike slightly ( without passenger ).

If someone is so far from the pavement in any case, I think its better to try a different ride.

So Tuesday I'm going to ( hopefully) buy a 13 concours. Im gonna need to lower it about an inch to feel really comfortable. Whats the best kit to use? Im also looking for engine/ luggage guards and/ or frame sliders. Any recommendations?

....what is 'comfortable' ? I have an aftermarket seat with extra height, and I just just about get the toes and ball of my foot down. Sometimes less if theres an incline. I've never had any problems. An inch is such a small amount of travel, you cant reach with your foot and touch the pavement?

Don't have a C14 but more than a few C10's,I have 30" inseam but my crotch area is small and my legs aren't strong enough anymore.That's why when I can ride again lowered will be the way. Jerry "The Wizard" Gaither

Don't have a C14 but more than a few C10's,I have 30" inseam but my crotch area is small and my legs aren't strong enough anymore.That's why when I can ride again lowered will be the way. Jerry "The Wizard" Gaither

Maybe its time to go three wheels? If the bike was tipped over can you pick it up ?

You may also consider scalping out the saddle.I have no inseam to speak of.

I removed the foam from the area right behind the tank and was able to lengthen my legs without lowering the bike.The problem for me is the bike's girth. If the bike was narrower, I doubt my leg length would be an issue.

To see what I mean, remove the seat and straddle the bike. Are you flat footed now?

I removed all the foam from my saddle right behind the tank and it makes a world of difference.Now you are thinking, what about comfort?

No problem. I can go 9+ hours quite comfortably with no foam in that area.I can still slide back and rest my rump as needed.

I was wondering about a seat mod. I personally would rather do something that route. Lowering a bike has never been an issue for me, but i also have only ever ridden cruisers. I bought a c10 on a whim and realized what ive been missing.

I was wondering about a seat mod. I personally would rather do something that route. Lowering a bike has never been an issue for me, but i also have only ever ridden cruisers. I bought a c10 on a whim and realized what ive been missing.

If I were you, since the bikes are so far apart in handling and ergonomics, to give it a try without changing the ride height. It likely is a very different sensation and you are simply 'used' to the bike being lower overall.

Try it without it and you might find that you get used to it quickly and wont have problems.

I was wondering about a seat mod. I personally would rather do something that route. Lowering a bike has never been an issue for me, but i also have only ever ridden cruisers. I bought a c10 on a whim and realized what ive been missing.

If I were you, since the bikes are so far apart in handling and ergonomics, to give it a try without changing the ride height. It likely is a very different sensation and you are simply 'used' to the bike being lower overall.

Try it without it and you might find that you get used to it quickly and wont have problems.

I will do that. Plus i really only sat on the c14. Ill have to see what its like in motion! Thanks for all the advice everyone!

I was wondering about a seat mod. I personally would rather do something that route. Lowering a bike has never been an issue for me, but i also have only ever ridden cruisers. I bought a c10 on a whim and realized what ive been missing.

If I were you, since the bikes are so far apart in handling and ergonomics, to give it a try without changing the ride height. It likely is a very different sensation and you are simply 'used' to the bike being lower overall.

Try it without it and you might find that you get used to it quickly and wont have problems.

I will do that. Plus i really only sat on the c14. Ill have to see what its like in motion! Thanks for all the advice everyone!

In that case definitely. Go ride it and get used to what your doing. Its such a different riding experience and ergonomics are completely different.

In my opinion, you will likely get used to it quickly and wont lower it if you give it a shot .

I lowered mine right after I bought it. Never had any problems. By myself, the height was fine. But, it was too tall for me to securely support the bike when my wife was riding with me.

NOTE: If you lower the back, lower the front as well,, to keep the same steering geometry.

All, not being a smarty, but we need to clarify something. Lowering Links lower the seat height only. Suspension travel does not change...

There is something else that we miss. A normal/stock C-14 is set up a bit soft, so the bike is actually setting lower than it should. This decreases usable suspension travel as some is lost because of the weak spring pre-load. Adjusting the spring sag correctly, raises the ride height and increases the usable suspension travel.

I'll try a scenario as I probably said that incorrectly... (Starting with a stock/soft C-14),, Let's say he adds links that lower the seat height 1 1/2", He next adjusts the spring sag up approx. 1/2". When he's done, he'll net about 1" lower ride height than he started with, he'll feel more comfortable with his foot plant, and he'll have more usable (correctly adjusted) suspension travel.

I guess i did get a little ahead of myself. I like to ask the question before its actually an issue. Then i have a good idea as to handle it. Hearing everything so far, it looks like i just need to ride it first, then decide!